Firefighters said the fire was intentionally set and burned at least three acres. Santa Cruz police detained two arson suspects as of 4:45 p.m., authorities said.

No more information on the suspects was immediately available.

Plumes of smoke lifted from the blaze as it spread uphill toward Tanner Heights Drive. It threatened homes on Tanner Heights Drive, but firefighters from several agencies beat it back and spared the homes, Ramos said.

"The crews did a great job," Ramos said.

A person was injured in the fire, and an ambulance was called to nearby Jewell Street for transportation to a hospital.